Disinfection of bank filtrate by inline-electrochlorination has been successfully tested in the AquaNES demonstration sites in India for the last 2.5 years. Autarcon now strives to promote this solution in other areas as well. In Egypt along the Nile is plenty of need for small scale water supply, too
During the 3rd International Conference on Solar Energy Solutions for Electricity and Water Supply in Rural Areas the company presented its experiences from the AquaNES project and the product itself.
Event summary:
On November 7-10, 2018, AUC hosted the Third International Conference on Solar Energy Solutions for Electricity and Water Supply in Rural Areas. Co-organized by AUC-CARES, Autarcon, Solar Input, Sustainable Concepts Germany, and the Technical University of Berlin, El Gouna Campus, with academic sponsorship from the DAAD COSIMENA project, the conference aimed to showcase and discuss promising approaches and applications for different types of renewable energy as sustainable solutions for rural populations with no access to centralized power and water supply. The 4-day event attracted over 80 researchers, policymakers, industry and business professionals, NGO representatives, entrepreneurs, students, and community partners from Egypt, Germany, Switzerland, the United States, and Jordan.
The conference opened with two days of presentations, keynote addresses, poster sessions, and panels on topics ranging from technical innovations in solar energy, water treatment, and building and construction, to financing models and payment systems for renewable energy solutions, to the social challenges involved in sustainable resource management. In the opening keynote address, Professor Wolfgang Dickhaut of Hafen University in Germany contextualized the conference in terms of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. His address was followed by a presentation by Lukas Wagner from Fraunhofer Institut in Germany on the current state of photovoltaic technology and outlooks for the future. Additional keynote speeches by Khaldoun Khashman, General Secretary of the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA), from Amman, Jordan, and Ahmed Moawad, Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Holding Company for Water and Wastewater, elaborated on the policy issues and challenges associated with rural water provision. One event that conference attendees found particularly valuable was a small-group breakout discussion with community partners from rural villages where AUC-CARES has worked in the past. Hearing about energy and water problems directly from people who experience these problems daily was an extremely beneficial exercise in brainstorming appropriate solutions.
The second half of the conference brought together students, academics, and industry for practical, hands-on engagement with solutions. Friday, November 9th included a tour of the AUC-CARES campus research facilities and workshops on solar-powered water filtration systems, solar and wind-powered water pumping systems, biological greywater filtration and solar photovoltaic technology. The day concluded with a special presentation from Flat6Labs on the “lean startup model” for budding entrepreneurs. On Saturday, attendees went on a full-day excursion to see some solutions in practice at 3 rural sites near Cairo. The excursion was an excellent opportunity to meet with community partners and understand the role solar energy can play in Egypt’s agricultural system.
Overall, the conference was successful in generating discussion among stakeholders from all sectors and hailing from across international borders. We hope that the ties and networks formed here will continue to strengthen and generate dialogue that may help address some of our planet’s biggest sustainability challenges.